Chirath Karunarathne

Kankani Gamaralalage Chirath Karunarathne

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 132 lb.

• Born November 8, 2000

Biographical Information

Chirath Karunarathne pitched for the Sri Lankan national team.

He was 1-1 with a 12.71 ERA in the 2017 Asian Championship, losing to Taiwan then beating Hong Kong's Chi-Kam Kenneth Chiu for Sri Lanka's first Asian Championship win ever. In the 2018 Asian Games, Sri Lanka made its Asian Games baseball debut. He was their top hurler in that event. In their Asian Games debut, he relieved Chamika Yasas in the 2nd with a 5-3 lead over fellow newcomer Laos, one on and two out. Nalor Gniatou stole two bases and scored on a wild pitch and Thatsaphone Soukhalom walked, but Karunarathne struck out Cola Phouangkeo to end the inning. He wound up going 5 IP (7 H, 1 BB, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 K) to beat Phouangkeo; Tharidu Madumal saved the historic win for Sri Lanka. In their other game, versus Thailand, he replaced Madumal in the 6th with a 12-3 deficit, one on and one out. He retired Phanuwat Sukmuang then Phoomwut Wutthikorn singled in a run. He got Suratit Faengsup on a grounder to end the frame. In the 7th, he allowed a hit to Paramutt Meepakdee, got Joe Daru on a grounder and allowed a RBI single to Jack Daru. Sasika Dulshan closed it out and Karunarathne had been one of their top performers on the hill that day. Despite being their youngest player, he led them with a 6.00 ERA (3.00 ahead of #2 Madumal). He was 5th in the first round in ERA (between Kevin Kawin Irwin and Madumal), tied Madumal for second in IP (two behind Soua Xong) and was second in K (behind Madumal).